Archaeological Survey of the Proposed Cliftondale 230 kV Transmission Line and 230/25 kV Substation, Fulton County, Georgia

From October through December of 2007, Southeastern Archeological Services, Inc. conducted a Phase I archeological survey of approximately 7.7 km (4.8 mi) of a proposed 230 kV transmission line corridor and approximately 3.6 ha (9 ac) of a proposed substation in southwestern Fulton County, Georgia. The project also included short sections of access roads that will be constructed to reach the line. The survey was undertaken in compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended; which requires that federal agencies that fund or license projects must take into account the effects of an undertaking on significant cultural resources. The proposed substation tract is currently wooded; the transmission line route is mostly wooded or in overgrown pastures. Consequently, the archeological survey primarily relied on shovel testing to detect sites. The precise size and layout of the substation tract had not been determined at the time of our survey. We surveyed a larger area within which the substation tract would be placed. We discovered and recorded seven archeological sites. Due to lack of integrity and very low research potential, we recommend that six of the sites are not eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places. One site, while recommended not eligible, is protected by state laws. One site is recommended as potentially eligible for listing in the National Register and would need additional work to determine its eligibility status. Georgia Transmission Corporation has in place a set of approved guidelines for constructing transmission lines across sites without creating adverse effects, the result being preservation in place of the site. These measures include hand clearing of the corridor, limiting heavy vehicle traffic across the site and insuring that no poles or other earth disturbing activities occur on the site. Georgia Transmission Corporation intends to adopt these measures and preserve the site in place. The project archeologists worked with project designers to accurately plot the site on project maps. Alternatively, if Georgia Transmission Corporation cannot assure preservation in place for it, the site should be archeologically tested to firmly determine its eligibility status. If the above-described measures are implemented, which will result in the avoidance of the protected site and the preservation in place site, the project should be granted clearance to proceed.